Using Cloud Services To Provide Secure Access To A Storage System

ABSTRACT

Managing a storage system, including: receiving, over a first network, user credentials associated with an access request to a storage system; sending, over a second network to a cloud-based security module, the user credentials; receiving, over the second network from the cloud-based security module, a token representing that the user credentials were successfully authenticated by the cloud-based security module; and sending, over the first network to the storage system, the token with a management instruction, wherein the storage system is not coupled for data communications to the cloud-based security module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application for patent entitled to a filing date and claiming the benefit of earlier-filed U.S. Pat. No. 11,201,913, issued Dec. 14, 2021, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10,560,517, issued Feb. 11, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10,021,170 issued Jul. 10, 2018.

BACKGROUND Field of Technology

The field of technology is data processing, or, more specifically, methods, apparatus, and products for managing a storage array.

Description of Related Art

Data centers may include many computing components including servers, network devices, and storage arrays. As the need for storage of large amounts of data and efficient access to that data increases, storage array technology is advancing. Such storage arrays may provide persistent storage for any number of computing devices in a data center. Given that many data centers provide services to many different users, various considerations must be taken into account to provide efficient, useful, and secure access to and administration of storage arrays. Security of storage array administration and access to storage array services may he highly complex.

SUMMARY

Methods, apparatus, and products for managing a storage array are disclosed in this specification. Such management includes: receiving, by a client-side array services module from cloud-based security module through data communications on a wide area network, a token representing authentication of user credentials; and managing, by the client-side array services module, a storage array only through data communications on a local area network, including sending, to the storage array, the token with a management instruction.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally represent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram of a system configured for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram of several example computers useful for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 sets forth a block diagram of an example storage controller of a storage array managed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 sets for than example block diagram of a system carrying out authorization and authentication in a cloud for a user of a storage array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 sets forth a block diagram of an example system for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 sets forth a flow chart illustrating another method of managing a storage array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary methods, apparatus, and products for managing a storage array in accordance with the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, beginning with FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram of a system configured for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention. The system of FIG. 1 includes a number of computing devices (164, 166, 168, 170). Such computing devices may be implemented in a number of different ways. For example, a computing device may be a server in a data center, a workstation, a personal computer, a notebook, or the like.

The computing devices (164-170) in the example of FIG. 1 are coupled for data communications to a number of storage arrays (102, 104) through a storage area network (SAN) (158) as well as a local area network (160) (LAN). The SAN (158) may be implemented with a variety of data communications fabrics, devices, and protocols. Example fabrics for such a SAN may include Fibre Channel, Ethernet, Infiniband, SAS (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface), and the like. Example data communications protocols for use in such a SAN (158) may include ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), Fibre Channel Protocol, SCSI, iSCSI, HyperSCSI, and others. Readers of skill in the art will recognize that a SAN is just one among many possible data communications couplings which may be implemented between a computing device and a storage array. Any other such data communications coupling is well within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

The local area network (160) of FIG. 1 may also be implemented with a variety of fabrics and protocols. Examples of such fabrics include Ethernet (802.3), wireless (802.11), and the like. Examples of such data communications protocols include TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), IP (Internet Protocol). HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), HDTP (Handheld Device Transport Protocol), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), RTP (Real Time Protocol) and others as will occur to those of skill in the art.

The example storage arrays (102, 104) of FIG. 1 provide persistent data storage for the computing devices. Each storage array (102, 104) includes a storage controller (106, 112). The storage controller is a module of automated computing machinery comprising computer hardware, computer software, or a combination of computer hardware and software. The storage controller may be configured to carry out various storage-related tasks. Such tasks may include writing data received from a computing device to storage, erasing data from storage, retrieving data from storage to provide to a computing device, monitoring and reporting of disk utilization and performance, performing RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives) or RA1D-like data redundancy operations, compressing data, encrypting data, and so on.

Each storage controller (106, 112) may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as an FPGA (Field. Programmable Gate Array), a PLC (Programmable Logic Chip), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated. Circuit), or computing device that includes discrete components such as a central processing unit, computer memory, and various adapters. Each storage controller (106, 112) may, for example, include a data communications adapter configured to support communications via the SAN (158) and the LAN (160). Only one of the storage controllers (112) in the example of FIG. 1 is depicted as coupled to the LAN (160) for data communications for clarity. Readers should understand that both storage controllers (106, 112) are independently coupled to the LAN (160). Each storage controller (106, 112) may also, for example, include an I/O controller or the like that couples the storage controller (106, 112) for data communications, through a midplane (114), to a number of storage devices (146, 1:50), and a number of write buffer devices (148, 152) devices.

Each write buffer device (148. 152) may be configured to receive, from the storage controller (106, 112), data to be stored in the storage devices (146). Such data may originate from any one of the computing devices (164-170). In the example of FIG. 1, writing data to the write buffer device may be carried out more quickly than writing data to the storage device. The storage controller (106, 112) may be configured to effectively utilize the write buffer devices (148, 152) as a quickly accessible redundant buffer for data destined to be written to storage. In this way, if the storage device to which the data is to be written fails or if the write does not complete, the write buffer device may maintain the data to be written during a retry of the write or during failover of the storage device to another location. That is, the write buffer device may provide redundancy for the storage devices.

A ‘storage device’ as the term is used in this specification refers to any device configured to record data persistently. The term ‘persistently’ as used here refers to a device's ability to maintain recorded data after loss of a power source. Examples of storage devices may include mechanical, spinning hard disk drives, Solid-state drives (“Flash drives”), and the like.

In addition to being coupled to the computing devices through the SAN (158), the storage arrays may also be coupled to the computing devices through the LAN (160) and to one or more cloud service providers through the Internet (172). The term ‘cloud’ as used in this specification refers to systems and computing environments that provide services to user devices through the sharing of computing resources through a network. Generally, the user device is unaware of the exact computing resources utilized by the cloud system to provide the services. Although in many cases such ‘cloud’ environments or systems are accessible via the Internet, readers of skill in the art will recognize that any system that abstracts the use of shared resources to provide services to a user through any network may be considered a cloud-based system.

One example cloud service in FIG. 1 is a storage array services provider (176). The storage array service provider (176) may be configured to provide various storage array services such as reporting of storage array performance characteristics, configuration control of the storage arrays, and the like, The storage array services provider may rely on modules executing on the storage array itself to gather or process such data

Another example cloud service in FIG. 1 is an identity provider (174). An identity provider (IDP) is a cloud service that may be configured to provide identifiers for users looking to interact with a system and assert to such a system that an identifier presented by a user is known to the IDP. In the example of FIG. 1, the IDP (174) may authenticate user credentials of the computing devices (164-170) for access to the storage arrays (102, 104).

The system of FIG. 1 may be configured, according to embodiments of the present invention, to provide authorization as well as authentication for a user of a storage array. To that end, either of the IDP (174) or cloud-based storage array services provider (176) may be configured to include or operate as a cloud-based security module. Such a cloud-based security module as the term is used in this specification refers to a module of automated computing machinery that includes computer hardware, computer software, or an aggregation of hardware and software that is configured for providing authorization and authentication in a cloud for a user of a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention.

The cloud-based security module may receive, from a client-side array services module, user credentials. Such user credentials may take various forms including, for example, a user identifier and password.

A client-side array services module is a module of automated computing machinery that includes computer hardware, computer software, or an aggregation of hardware and software that is configured to present, locally, a user interface for accessing cloud-based storage array services. A client-side array services module be implemented in a variety of ways, as a command-line interface, a graphical user interface (GUI'), as a web service, as a web browser or component of a web browser, or the like. The client-side array services module may access services provided by the storage array services provider (176) through an application program interface (API) presented by the storage array services provider.

In some embodiments, the client-side array services module may be a web browser configured for cross-domain resource sharing. Web browsers configured according to the HTML 5 standard, for example, may implement CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing). CORS enables one web page in a first domain to request resources provided by a second web page in a second domain. To that end, the client-side array services module (178) in the example of FIG. 1, may present a user interface that appears to be a portal to access storage array services (such as those provided by the cloud-based storage array services provider), while relying entirely on a third party (such as the IDP) to perform authentication of the user's identity. Further, each storage array (102, 104) may be a separate origin.

The client-side array services module (178) may provide one or more service options to a user of a storage array. Such service options may be services supported by the cloud-based storage array services provider (176). Upon selection of one of those service options, the client-side array services module (178) may prompt a user for user credentials and receive those user credentials through one or more user input devices. The client-array services module (178) may then provide those user credentials to the identity provider through the LAN (160) and Internet (172).

Upon receipt, the IDP may authenticate the user credentials, identify authorized access privileges defining one or more storage array services accessible by the user, generate a token representing the authentication of the user credentials and the authorized access privileges; and provide the token to the client-side array services module (178). In some embodiments, the MP need only provide authentication rather than authorization of access privileges. In embodiments in which the IDP provides both authorization and authentication, the access privileges for a user define the user's accessibility to storage array services. Different users may be provided access to different services for security purposes. Users may granted be access to services for all storage arrays or only subset of all of the storage arrays. Further, a ‘user’ may be a user of the storage array (one who stores and retrieves data in the storage array) or a system administrator that manages the storage array.

The access privileges may be defined in the cloud-based security module (the IDP in the example of FIG. 1) for users with an association of each user with one of a plurality of profiles, and each profile may specify access privileges for users associated with the profile. Each user may be associated with one or more profiles. Examples of such profiles may include: a read-only profile specifying, for users associated with the read only profile, read-only access privileges; a modify profile specifying, for users associated with the modify profile, read and modify access privileges; and an administrator profile specifying, for users associated with the administrator profile, all available access privileges. Readers will understand that these are but a few of many possible profiles that may be implemented. For example, a profile may be implemented that is storage-array specific profile. Such a profile may specify, for users associated with that profile, access privileges for a single storage array. In other embodiments, a multi-array profiles may be implemented that specifies, for user associated with that profile, access privileges for multiple storage arrays,

Throughout this process, a user need only “sign-on” a single time to access services at the storage array even though a third party (the IDP in this example) provides the authentication and authorization. Such a single sign on is enabled in the client-side array services module (178) through the cross-domain resource sharing provided by the client-side array services module (178). After authentication and authorization, as long as the user maintains a session with the client-side array services module (178) and the client-side array services module (178) maintains the token generated by the MP (174), the user need not sign in again to subsequently access services at the storage array.

Although the MP (174) in the example of FIG. 1 is described as performing the operations of a cloud-based security module (authentication and authorization), such operations may also be performed by other modules. In the system of FIG. 1., for example, the storage array services provider (176) may, in addition to providing various storage array services to users, perform the authentication and authorization of a user as described above.

Once the client-side array services module receives the token, the client-side array services module (178) may manage the storage arrays (106, 112) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, the client-side array services module (178) may manage the storage arrays (106, 112) only through data communications on the local area network (160) by sending the token along with one or more management instructions to the storage array. In this way, as long as the client-side array services module (178) is authenticated. and coupled to the storage arrays via the LAN (160), the client-side array services module (178) may manage the storage arrays without any data communications outside the LAN. By contrast, systems of the prior art typically must execute an agent within the local area network that opens a port for two-way communication with the cloud services provider. In such prior art embodiments, the cloud services provider receives a selection of a management task from the client-side array services module and sends through the open port to the agent one or more management instructions to carry out the management task. The agent then proceeds to send the management instructions along to the storage arrays. The open port between an agent within the local area network and the cloud services provider outside the local area network creates a possible security concern. If, for example, the cloud services provider were to be compromised, the comprising actor has an open port to the storage arrays through the agent.

The arrangement of computing devices, storage arrays, cloud-based service providers, networks and other devices making up the exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 1 are for explanation, not for limitation. Systems useful according to various embodiments of the present invention may include different configurations of servers, routers, switches, computing devices, and network architectures, not shown in FIG. 1, as will occur to those of skill in the art.

Managing a storage array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is generally implemented with computers. In the system of FIG. 1, for example, all the computing devices (164-170), storage controllers (106, 112), storage array services provider (176), and identity provider (174) may be implemented to some extent at least as computers. For further explanation, therefore. FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram of several example computers useful for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention. The example computers in FIG. 2 include a computer (202) configured to execute a client-side array services module (178), a storage array (102), and a computer (228) configured to execute a cloud-based security module (226). For clarity, only one computer (202) in the example of FIG. 2 is depicted with a number of various computing components which are described below in greater detail. Readers will understand that the storage array (102) and the computer (228) may include similar components that operate in a similar manner.

The computer (202) of FIG. 2 includes at least one computer processor (210) or ‘CPU’ as well as random access memory (214) ('RAM') which is connected through a high speed memory bus and bus adapter (212) to processor (210) and to other components of the computer (202). Stored in RAM (214) is a client-side array services module (178) comprising a module of automated computing machinery configured to manage the storage array (102) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. To that end, the client-side array services module may provide user credentials to the cloud-based security module (226) for authentication and receive, from the cloud-based security module (226) through data communications on a wide area network (172), a token (604) representing authentication of user credentials. The client-side array services module (178) may then manage the storage array (102) only through data communications on the local area network (160), Such management may include sending, to the storage array (102), the token (604) with a management instruction (610).

Stored in RAM (240) of computer (228) is the cloud-based security module (22t), a module of computer program instructions that, when executed, causes the computer (202) of FIG. 2 to provide authentication in the cloud for a user of the storage array (102) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. To that end, the cloud-based security module (226) receives, from the client-side array services module, the user credentials mention above; authenticates the user credentials; generates the token (604) representing the authentication of the user credentials; and provides the token to the client-side array services module. The cloud-based security module (226) may authorize the user for access privileges and provide such authorization along with the token (604). The token may be digitally signed by the cloud-based security module (226) such that the storage array may trust any communication that includes such token.

In the example of FIG. 2, the client-side user computer (202) is depicted as being coupled through the SAN (158) to the storage array (102) for use in storing data in the storage array. Alternatively, the client-side user computer (202) may be a device that is not connected to the storage array (102) for purposes of storing data but rather may be connected only via a LAN for purposes of performing storage array management services (other than writing or reading data from storage devices). Consider, for example, a client-side user computer that is implemented as a mobile device that is carried by a system administrator. Although the mobile device is not coupled to the storage array for purposes of data storage, the system administrator may utilize the mobile device to perform various management tasks and request reporting services that indicate storage array performance characteristics, errors, alerts, and the like.

The storage array access module (180) may be implemented as a module of computer program instructions stored in RAM (238) and executed by a processor (not shown) of the storage array (102). The storage array access module may be configured to receive the management instructions (610) from the client-side array services module (178) along with the token (604). Responsive to confirming the authenticity of the token (604), the storage array access module (180) may perform the management task provided in the management instruction.

Turning back to the components of the computer (202), also stored in RAM (214) is an operating system (234). Examples of operating systems useful in computers configured according to embodiments of the present invention include UNIX™, Linux™, Microsoft Windows™, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art, The operating system (234) and the cloud-based security module (226) in the example of FIG. 2 are shown in RAM (168), but many components of such software typically are stored in non-volatile memory also, such as, for example, on a disk drive (224). Likewise, the modules depicted in RAM (238, 240) of the storage array (102) and client-side user computer (204) may be stored in non-volatile memory.

The computer (202) of FIG. 2 also includes disk drive adapter (222) coupled through an expansion bus and bus adapter (212) to the processor (210) and other components of the computer (202). Disk drive adapter (222) connects non-volatile data storage to the computer (202) in the form of disk drive (224). Disk drive adapters may be implemented in a variety of ways including as SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) adapters, DATA (Parallel ATA) adapters, Integrated Drive Electronics ('IDE') adapters, Small Computer System Interface (' SCSI') adapters, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. Non-volatile computer memory also may be implemented as an optical disk drive, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (so-called ‘EEPROM’ or ‘Flash’ memory), RAM drives, and so on, as will occur to those of skill in the art.

The example computer (202) of FIG. 2 includes one or more input/output (‘I/O’) adapters (216). I/O adapters implement user-oriented input/output through, for example, software drivers and computer hardware for controlling output to display devices such as computer display screens, as well as user input from user input devices (220) such as keyboards and mice. The example computer (202) of FIG. 2 also includes a video adapter (208), which is an example of an I/O adapter specially designed for graphic output to a display device (206) such as a display screen or computer monitor. Video adapter (208) is connected to the processor (210) through a high speed video bus.

The exemplary computer (202) of FIG. 2 includes a communications adapter (218) for data communications with other computers (102, 204) through the Internet (172). Such data communications may be carried out through data communications networks such as IP data communications networks, and in other ways as will occur to those of skill in the art. Communications adapters implement the hardware level of data communications through which one computer sends data communications to another computer, directly or through a data communications network. Examples of such communications adapters useful include modems for wired dial-up communications, Ethernet (IEEE 802,3) adapters for wired data communications, and 802.11 adapters for wireless data communications,

As mentioned above, the storage array (102) may include many similar components as the computer (202). For further explanation, therefore, FIG. 3 sets forth a block diagram of an example storage controller (106) of a storage array (102). The example storage controller includes a computer processor (314). The computer processor is coupled to RAM (214) through a DDR4 (Double-Data Rate 4) bus. Stored in RAM (214) is a storage array access module (180) that operates as described above to perform management tasks represented by a management instruction (610) received along with a token (604) from a client-side array services module.

The processor (314) is also coupled for data communications through PCIe (Peripheral Component Interface express) links (308, 310, 312, 322) to several Fibre Channel host bus adapters (302, 304), an Ethernet adapter (306), and a PCIe switch (324). The Fibre Channel host bus adapters (308. 310) may couple the storage controller to a storage area network, such the SAN (158) depicted in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2. The Ethernet adapter (306) may couple the storage controller to a local area network such as the LAN (160) depicted in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2. The PCIe switch (324) may provide data communications across other PCI links through the midplane to PCI endpoints, such as storage devices or write buffer devices. Likewise, the processor (314) is also coupled through a SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) host bus adapter (316) to a SAS expander (320). The SAS expander may provide SAS connections between the computer processor (314) and other devices through the midplane.

Readers of skill in the art will recognize that these components, protocols, adapters, and architectures are for illustration only, not limitation. Such a storage controller may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Each such way is well within the scope of the present invention.

For further explanation, FIG. 4 sets for than example block diagram of a system carrying out authorization and authentication in a cloud for a user of a storage array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The block diagram includes a storage array access module (180), a cloud-based security module (226), a client-side array services module (178), and a user (402). The cloud-based security module (226) is depicted as ‘cloud-side’ (406) meaning accessible through a wide area network rather than locally on a local area network. The remaining modules are depicted as client-side meaning accessible through a local area network. The example of FIG. 4 depicts one example order of interactions amongst the modules and users during authentication and authorization in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Readers will understand that FIG. 4 is an example only, not a limitation. In fact, many of the steps set forth in the example may be carried out in a different order and all such ways are well within the scope of the present invention.

In the example of FIG. 4, the user first provides a request for storage array access to the client-side array services module (178). The client-side array services module (178) then forwards that request to the storage array access module (180). The storage array access module (180), determines that no token yet exists for the user and redirects the client-side array services module (178) to the cloud-based security module for sign-on and authentication. The client-side array services module receives, after the redirect and from the cloud-based security module (226), a challenge for credentials with which the client-side array services module (178) prompts the user. The user (402) provides the user credentials to the client-side array services module which returns the credentials to the cloud based security module (226) as a response to the challenge for the credentials. Readers of skill in the art will recognize that once a user receives a token from the cloud-based security module, a session is instantiated between the user and the storage array such that the user need not be prompted for nor provide credentials upon each subsequent access request.

The cloud-based security module (226) then authenticates and authorizes the user credentials and, through a “POSY” FITTP instruction provides a signed token representing both authentication of the user credentials and authorization of the user to access one or more storage array services. The term ‘signed token’ refers to a token that includes a digital signature verifying the authenticity of the sender, in this case, the cloud-based security module. The client-side array services module operates as a proxy and provides the token to the storage array access module (180). The storage array access module, determines, in dependence upon the token, whether the user (402) is authorized for the particular access request. in the example of FIG. 4. the user is authorized and the storage array module grants access to the client-side array services module (178).

Once the client-side array services module (178) receives the token, the client-side array services module may send management instructions and the token along to the storage array access module (180) to perform management of the storage array in accordance with embodiments of the present invention,

Readers of skill in the art will recognize that FIG. 4 sets forth an example of one-way authentication in which a user provides credentials to the cloud-based security module (226) for authentication. Such one-way authentication is an example and not a limitation. Two-way, or mutual, authentication may also be employed for systems that provide authorization and authentication in a cloud for a user of a storage array according to embodiments in of the present invention.

FIG. 5 sets forth a block diagram of an example system for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention. The system of FIG. 5 includes a cloud-based storage array services provider (176) and a cloud-based security module (226), both of which reside outside the firewall or outside the local area network of a data center that includes a storage array (102). Residing outside the firewall or the outside the local area network is depicted in the example of FIG. 5 as being ‘cloud-side’ (406).

Devices and modules executing within the firewall or within the local area network of the data center are referred to as ‘client-side’ (404). In the example of FIG. 5, a storage array (102) and a client-side array services module (178) are both ‘client-side’. The client-side array services module (178) may be client-side either by a direct coupling to the local area network or through a virtual private network.

In the example of FIG. 5, the client-side array services module (178) may have bi-directional communication with the cloud-based storage array services provider (176) through the local area network and local fire⁻wall in order to perform authentication. The client-side array services module (178) may request authentication through the cloud-based storage array services provider (176) which re-directs the client-side array services module to the cloud-based security module (226).

The cloud-based security module (226) may provide a prompt to the client-side array services module (178) for retrieving user credentials. The client-side array services module (178) may provide those credentials through another bi-directional data communications connection through the local area network and through the local firewall. The cloud-based security module may authenticate the user credentials and return a token representing the authentication to the client-side array services module.

The client-side array services module (178) may receive the token and proceed to manage the storage array (102) without providing any further data communications outside the local area network and firewall. That is the client-side array services module (178) is configured to provide the token and a management instruction to the storage array (102) only through the local area network and within the local firewall.

The storage array (102) is configured to perform carry out such management instructions only after receiving a valid token from a client-side array services module (178) via data communications within the local area network and within the local firewall. In this way, the storage array (102) is effectively configured to ignore any management instructions that do not originate within the local area network.

The storage array (102) in the example of FIG. 5 may also be configured to report changes resulting from management instructions to the cloud-based storage array services provider (176) through a one-way data communications connection on the wide area network. In this way, the cloud-based storage array services provider (176) may be informed of any changes resulting from the management instructions while the storage array (102) continues to be configured to receive data communications only from a client-side array services module (178) within the local area network.

For further explanation, FIG. 6 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention. The method of FIG. 6 includes receiving (602), by a client-side array services module (178) from a cloud-based security module (226) through data communications on a wide area network, a token (604) representing authentication of user credentials.

The method of FIG. 6 also includes managing (606), by the client-side array services module (178), a storage array (102.) only through data communications on a local area network. In the method of FIG. 6 managing (606) the storage array includes sending (608), to the storage array (102), the token (604) with a management instruction (610). Managing a storage array in this manner may be carried out for a plurality of storage arrays. In some embodiments, the client-side array services module may be implemented as a web browser that supports cross-domain communications. One example type of cross-domain communications technology implemented by some web browsers includes CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing). CORS enables one web page in a first domain (or ‘origin’) to request resources provided by a second web page in a second domain. In embodiments in which the client-side array services module (178) is implemented as a web browser, the cloud-based security module may be in a first domain and each separate storage array may be in a separate domain.

In addition to management instructions, the client-side array services module may also send requests for reporting of storage array performance characteristics, configuration control of the storage arrays, and the like. That is, in some embodiments, the client-side array services module may request such reports from the cloud-based storage array services provider, which is updated via a one-way data communications connection with the storage array (from the storage array to the services provider). Because such one-way communication may have some latency or be designed to report less data to reduce overall external bandwidth utilization, in some embodiments, while the client-side array services module is coupled to the storage array via a local area network, the client-side array services module may request reports directly from the storage array. In such an embodiment, the reports may be retrieved more quickly, have more information, and be more up-to-date than those reports that are retrieved from the cloud-based storage array services module.

In the method of FIG. 6, the client-side array services module (178) is coupled for data communications to a cloud-based storage array services provider (176) that provides reporting of various characteristics of the storage array. To that end, the method of FIG. 6 includes disconnecting (612), by the client-side array services module (178), from the local area network and receiving (614) only reporting services from the cloud-based storage array services provider (176) through data communications on the wide area network. In this way, the client-side array services module may gracefully degrade when leaving the local area network. That is, once the client-side array services module disconnects from the local area network, the client-side array services module may no longer manage the storage array, but is still able to receive reports regarding various characteristics of the storage array.

For further explanation, FIG. 7 sets forth a flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for managing a storage array according to embodiments of the present invention. The method of FIG. 7 is similar to the method of FIG. 6, including as it does, receiving (602) a token representing authentication of user credentials and managing (606) the storage array only through data communications on a local area network.

The method of FIG. 7 differs from the method of FIG. 6, however, in that the method of FIG. 7 includes two alternative embodiments of reporting the results of management instructions to a cloud-based storage array service provider (176). In one embodiment, the method of FIG. 7 includes reporting (702), by the storage array (102), changes resulting from management instructions to a cloud-based storage array services provider through a one-way data communications connection on the wide area network. The storage array may be report the changes periodically in a batch, immediately upon completion of the management instructions, or in other ways

In another embodiment, the method of FIG. 7 includes informing (704), by the client-side array services module through data communications on the wide area network, a cloud-based storage array services provider (176) of the management of the storage array. The client-side array services module may inform the cloud-based storage array services provider (176) in parallel with sending the instruction to the storage array, upon receipt of an indication of completion of the management instruction from the storage array (102), and in other ways as will occur to readers of skill in the art.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described largely in the context of a fully functional computer system. Readers of skill in the art will recognize, however, that the present invention also may be embodied in a computer program product disposed upon computer readable media for use with any suitable data processing system. Such computer readable storage media may be any transitory or non-transitory media Examples of such media include storage media for machine-readable information, including magnetic media, optical media, or other suitable media Examples of such media also include magnetic disks in hard drives or diskettes, compact disks for optical drives, magnetic tape, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. Persons skilled in the art will immediately recognize that any computer system having suitable programming means will be capable of executing the steps of the method of the invention as embodied in a computer program product. Persons skilled in the art will recognize also that, although some of the exemplary embodiments described in this specification are oriented to software installed and executing on computer hardware, nevertheless, alternative embodiments implemented as firmware, as hardware, or as an aggregation of hardware and software are well within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that modifications and changes may be made in various embodiments of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in this specification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the language of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, over a first network, user credentials associated with an access request to a storage system; sending, over a second network to a cloud-based security module, the user credentials; receiving, over the second network from the cloud-based security module, a token representing that the user credentials were successfully authenticated by the cloud-based security module; and sending, over the first network to the storage system, the token with a management instruction, wherein the storage system is not coupled for data communications to the cloud-based security module.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: disconnecting, by the client-side array services module, from the first network; and receiving, by the client-side array services module over the second network, only reporting services from a cloud-based storage system services provider communicatively coupled to the client-side array services module through the second network.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the client-side array services module comprises a web browser that supports cross-domain communications; and the cloud-based security module comprises a first domain and the storage system comprises a second domain.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage system is configured to report changes resulting from management instructions to a cloud-based storage system services provider through a one-way data communications connection on the second network.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: informing, by the client-side array services module through data communications on the second network, a cloud-based storage system services provider of the management of the storage system.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloud-based security module comprises a component of a cloud-based storage system services provider.
 7. An apparatus comprising a computer processor, a computer memory operatively coupled to the computer processor, the computer memory having disposed within it computer program instructions that, when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of: receiving, over a first network, user credentials associated with an access request to a storage system; sending, over a second network to a cloud-based security module, the user credentials; receiving, over the second network from the cloud-based security module, a token representing that the user credentials were successfully authenticated by the cloud-based security module; and sending, over the first network to the storage system, the token with a management instruction, wherein the storage system is not coupled for data communications to the cloud-based security module.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the client-side array services module is coupled for data communications to a cloud-based storage system services provider; and the computer program instructions further cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of: disconnecting, by the client-side array services module, from the first network; and receiving, by the client side array services module, only reporting services from the cloud-based storage system services provider through data communications on the second network.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the client-side array services module further comprises a web browser that su cross-domain communications; and the cloud-based security module comprises a first domain and the storage system comprises a second domain.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the storage system is configured to report changes resulting from management instructions to a cloud-based storage system services provider through a one-way data communications connection on the second network.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of: informing, by the client-side array services module through data communications on the second network, a cloud-based storage system services provider of the management of the storage system.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the cloud-based security module comprises a component of a cloud-based storage system services provider.
 13. A computer program product disposed upon a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of: receiving, over a first network, user credentials associated with an access request to a storage system; sending, over a second network to a cloud-based security module, the user credentials; receiving, over the second network from the cloud-based security module, a token representing that the user credentials were successfully authenticated by the cloud-based security module; and sending, over the first network to the storage system, the token with a management instruction, wherein the storage system is not coupled for data communications to the cloud-based security module.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the computer program instructions further cause a computer to carry out the steps of: disconnecting, by the client-side array services module, from the first network; and receiving, by the client-side array services module over the second network, only reporting services from a cloud-based storage system services provider communicatively coupled to the client-side array services module on the second network.
 15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein: the client-side array services module further comprises a web browser that supports cross-domain communications, and the cloud-based security module comprises a first domain and the storage system comprises a second domain.
 16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the storage system is configured to report changes resulting from management instructions to a cloud-based storage system services provider through a one-way data communications connection on the second network.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause the computer to carry out the steps of: informing, by the client-side array services module through data communications on the second network, a cloud-based storage system services provider of the management of the storage system.
 18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the cloud-based security module comprises a component of a cloud-based storage system services provider. 